Montane Winter Spine

The Pennine Way Endurance Race

The Montane Winter Spine is a non-stop endurance race held along the Pennine Way. The route covers 268 miles of terrain, beginning in Edale, Derbyshire, and concluding in Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. Participants must complete the course within a time limit of 156 hours.

The course features a total ascent of 10,732 meters and a total descent of 10,941 meters. Runners traverse multiple regions including the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian’s Wall, and the Cheviots. The event takes place in January, typically involving approximately eight hours of daylight per day and temperatures ranging from 10°C to -10°C.

There are five main checkpoints located at Birchcliffe, Hawes, Alston, Bellingham, and Langdon Beck. These stations provide participants with hot meals, drinks, medical support, and designated sleeping areas. Toilets and showers are available at Hawes, Alston, and Bellingham. Although this is an unsupported event, participants may use public cafes and pubs along the trail.

Entry requirements specify that athletes must be at least 21 years old. Applicants must demonstrate prior experience, such as completing a mountain or moorland ultra-marathon of at least 100 miles, the Montane Spine Challenger, or similar mountain-based expeditions and orienteering events. The race is limited to 150 participants. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

• 268 miles